• Children, especially males, are the most vulnerable to entrapment and suffocation in flowing grain. (Purdue University)

• Grain suffocation deaths represented 16% of the total farm-related deaths in Iowa (SPRAINS, 1993)

• Most grain transport incidents take place during the harvest season.

• It would require more than 15,000 pounds of force to rescue an adult from under the surface of three feet of grain. (University of Kentucky)

Being in grain can lead to the ultimate fate of suffocation. Many people do not realize how quickly you can become entrapped ... and die.

Wagons/Trucks
Unloading grain from a wagon creates a "pull" on grain similar to quick sand. When the grain is emptied from the bottom, the flow forms a cone directly over the outlet and pulls a person caught in the grain with the flow. After getting caught in grain up to the mid-thighs, you are beyond the point of being able to pull yourself out. As you go deeper into the grain two forces work against you: the weight of the grain on top of you and the increased friction of the grain.

• Never play or climb on grain in a gravity flow wagon or truck.
• Place warning decals on gravity flow wagons to warn others about the dangers.

Grain Piles
Grain stored in piles can also be dangerous if you walk on or play in the grain. Your movement alone could cause you to sink in the grain.

• Never climb on piles of stored grain.

Bins

This person should be wearing a respirator mask while working around grain.

Stored grain can also create problems. Spoiled grain tends to clump together and grain stored in cold temperatures that freezes can appear to have a solid surface while, in reality, it may collapse if walked upon. You can suffocate just as you can when unloading grain in a wagon, truck, or bin.

• Never enter a bin filled with grain.

Augers
Augers are corkscrew-like conveyors that move grain from one location to another. The danger of the auger lies with how the auger works to move the grain. IF caught in the rotating shaft, a body part can be pulled along with the grain, cutting and tearing the flesh.

• An auger shield should always be in place to prevent body parts from getting caught.

Note to Parents:
Working with grain can be dangerous even for the most experienced farmer. Entrapment in flowing grain while unloading a wagon or within a bin when a bridge of grain collapses can lead to death. REsearch indicates that you can not escape from the forces of moving grain on your own after getting trapped. MAke sure youth know the risks and act accordingly.

The following guidelines will help prevent an innocent looking load of grain from becoming a vehicle of death:

• Never allow young children to enter or play in grain transport or storage areas.
• Instruct older working youth in proper working procedures when around grain.
• Supervise youth working with grain.
• Keep in mind personal protective equipment such as dust masks are designed to fit adults, not children.
• Place warning decals on grain storage structures and gravity flow wagons.
• Always have another person within hearing distance to shut off augers and get help if necessary.
• Never enter a grain storage bin where grain may have formed a crust.
• Prevent children from climbing into grain holding facilities by blocking access to external ladders. Lock the top entry of grain bins.
• Make sure all augers are properly shielded